Euro Motorworks

At some level, finding the right luxury vehicle is intuitive. Even though you’ve done the research and have a mental picture of how your next car should look and function, it’s only when you get behind the wheel that you need to know you’ve made the right decision.

Qualität: Audi owners know the German version of the word Quality very well. And so, when it comes to looking for place to keep their autos in good running order, discerning owners who have done their research know when they’ve found a quality shop. Just as when shopping for the car itself, it’s always worthwhile to shop around and compare mechanics qualified to deal with high performance vehicles. That can include asking for referrals from other owners, checking with the local Better Business Bureau, Triple A, Automotive Service Association and Angie’s List, to name a few. Another sign to look for is the National Institute for Automotive Service(ASE). ASE began in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. Finding a group of qualified automotive techs with a reputation for excellent work, top notch customer service and fair pricing might seem like a tall order, but it can be done.

What’s in a (Brand) Name?

The Audi brand long ago made a name for itself as a leader in high performance engines paired with elegant designs. In the 1980s, the company was a driving force behind the inline 5 cylinder, 2.1/2.2 L engine. Offered as a longer lasting and more fuel efficient alternative to more traditional 6 cylinder engines, this engine was used in both production vehicles and in race cars. More recently, Audi has produced ultra-clean burning diesel engines and has been experimenting with strong, yet lightweight frames aimed at working with hybrid fuel technology. Even the Audi brand has an interesting history of its own. It’s based on elements of the name of company’s founder, August Horch. It was a fortuitous coincidence, combining as it does the Latin imperative verb audi (you hear) and the surname “Horch,” the German cognate of the English “hark.” One of Germany’s oldest-established automobile manufacturers, Audi’s reputation as a high performance luxury car maker continues to catch the world’s ear. In 2008, Audi achieved the 13th record year in a row, surpassing the 1 million unit mark with 1,003,400 sales.

In June 2009, Audi announced that its latest models earned top ratings for safety in four high profile tests. The Audi A4 and Q5 achieved a top five-star rating in a new and more thorough Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) safety tests. On the other side of the Atlantic, the U.S. National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed this performance and gave the vehicles a five-star rating in all categories. What’s more, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a U.S. consumer protection organization, labeled the Audi Q5 its “Top Safety Pick” - or the best value when it comes to safety.

No matter what the make or model of vehicle, it’s safest to find a mechanic who listens to what you and your vehicle have to say. That’s why it’s important to have technicians who thoroughly know a vehicle in order to make a diagnosis.

In order to streamline operating costs, many shops have gone to a system of staffing their garages with a handful of master technicians and a number of apprentice technicians. And rather specialize in few brands done well, many shops attempt to take on a gamut of North American, Asian, and European makers, with varying results. Specialty shops offer something more: Service that includes everything from keeping a vehicle in good working order to modifications that improve performance for racing, complete service and repair, performance upgrades, brake and suspension upgrades, even race preparation and technical inspections, for those who go the quality route.

Euromotorworks provides European auto repair in Indianapolis to luxury car brands such as Audi.